Web site: letseatdinner.com. If you can point and click, you can navigate the site, which explains what to expect and enables you to reserve and prepay. Reservations also can be made by telephone.

Why we think you will like it: Fun with co-cooks! In the (unsolicited) words of two often-skeptical 'tween daughters, the session received nearly as many "awesomes" as a new issue of Seventeen and was deemed "a great mother-daughter bonding experience."

Perks: Bottled oils, sauces and dips are available, as are ready-made side dishes and desserts. Private parties can be scheduled. Afternoon sessions come with wine and appetizers; the sideboard is stocked with coffee, quiche and pastries in the morning. Although no sessions are offered exclusively for kids, a child of at least 10 may accompany a parent, preferably on a Saturday; children are discouraged from attending evening courses. Gift certificates are available. If customers sign up for another session before they leave, a discount is offered. Repeat clients receive credits toward a half-price session. A monthly newsletter is e-mailed to customers targeted to their nearest location. Meals can be prepped for you or delivered. Half portions are available.

Quibbles and bits: It's easy, fun, fast, and you don't have to clean up. If we had to find something, it would be that our Saturday-morning session was almost at capacity, which was snug, but everyone was pleasant and cheerful, so not a big drawback. Also, some of the instruction labels underestimated the cooking time at home by nearly half.

Final musings: Plan now because holiday parties are taking many of the evening spots. The staff greets you at the door and walks newcomers through the paces and is always nearby to provide utensils or ingredients and answer questions. Plastic gloves are dispensed at each station, and frequent hand-washing is encouraged.

The menu is varied and contained enough choices among the 14 options to satisfy my two particular eaters. The dishes were tasty and encouraged some experimentation from taste buds more attuned to pasta, pizza and chicken nuggets. Servings are ample. A repeat customer at my session revealed that a single entree satisfied her family of four boys. Given the portion sizes and ease of preparation, the cost seems appropriate, and much cheaper than a meal at a chain restaurant.

The tab: $159 for eight-meal session and $219 for 12-meal session. "Take 2 Tuesdays" offer a chance to assemble two meals for about $40.